Drones are an Essential Tool to Fight COVID-19 in Europe

A Recap of Leading Use Cases and DJI Support Application Form

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread at an alarming rate. In Europe, infection rates and the number of deaths increase every day to an extent where health care systems are being pushed to their limits or buckling under what some compare to the devastating effects of a tsunami. The need for better measures and resources to combat the highly contagious disease is paramount. Drone technology has emerged as a key tool to support those who operate at the frontlines as more and more Public Safety entities engage in finding out how it can aid in their missions.

DJI is committed to support the local heroes at the frontlines who are at high risk as they work to keep their communities safe. Numerous examples across the region show how drones are being used to effectively enforce lockdowns that are now in place in most countries.

Public Safety Entities Across Europe Are Using Drones to Tackle The Crisis

France

The police in the city of Nice along with Drone 06, a leading drone service provider in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, have deployed the Mavic 2 Enterprise with its mounted loudspeaker to enforce lockdown measures. The drone flies around the city center and areas prone to mass gatherings to broadcast standard precautions like keeping a safe distance or traveling only when purchasing necessities. Nice was the first city in France to adopt these measures. And it has paved the way for more French cities to follow suit.

Italy

After several positive uses in some Italian municipalities, the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) gave the official go-ahead for drones to be used for monitoring the movements of citizens in the public space with a view to enforcing the containment of the coronavirus. Drone registration requirements have been relaxed for local police forces for the time being.

Belgium

Belgian police have also started to use drones to monitor whether the population abides by the strict rules implemented during the lockdown. Citizens are allowed to spend time in public spaces but are being urged to follow social distancing protocols.

Austria

Police in the Austrian capital Vienna have been deploying drones for some time to monitor traffic. Even though authorities said they were not planning to fly dedicated drone missions to monitor whether measures are effective, they confirmed that traffic drones are also used to spot unauthorized crowds.

Norway

UAS Norway has been advocating for the use of drones to combat the corona virus during a conference in Kristiansand highlighting the ability of the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual to perform temperature checks at a distance. The accuracy of the temperature reading is estimated to be plus / minus half a degree when used at a distance of two to three meters.

Spain

Spain is another country where the use of drone technology for monitoring people’s movements in public places is commonplace. The municipality of Mazarrón in Murcia is also using Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual and its thermal data gathering capabilities to perform trials for temperature checks in order to reduce the risk of medical personnel catching the virus by keeping them at a safe distance. Even though these are just preliminary trials, the Spanish authorities are prioritizing the validation of this methodology.

3. Free DJI FlightHub Trial Accounts

Many public safety missions are conducted in large fleets, hence the need for a platform to effectively manage them. DJI will be providing free FlightHub trial accounts for a period of three months.

If you are a qualified Public Safety entity or channel partner, please fill up the form below if interested in the above support.

FAQs

Q: Which agencies will DJI provide support to under this program?

DJI and its partner network will be prioritizing authorized local public safety organizations that are at the frontline fighting against COVID-19 such as police departments, health departments, the Red Cross, or fire and rescue services.